More than 130 years after it was built, the first building designed by Barcelona’s famed architect Antoni Gaudi opens to the public for the first time.

Casa Vicens was built as a summer home between 1883 and 1885 for Manuel Vicens i Montaner, a brick and tile factory manufacturer. Gaudi was 31 years old at that time and was just beginning his career. Throughout his graduation years at the Provincial School of Architecture in Barcelona, Gaudi’s work portrayed a rather Victorian style, similar to that of his predecessors. However, shortly after finishing school he began to develop his own style that was characterized by Neo-Mudéjar influence. Some characteristics of this style include the juxtaposition of geometric masses, the use of ceramic tiles, metalwork, and abstract brick ornamentation. Casa Vicens is one of the first buildings in the Art Nouveau style.